Flexible coupling.



JG;OALLANL FLEXIBLE COUPLING.

APPLIUATION FILED OCT. 21, 1905.

LQQLEQQQ I Patented Mar. 31, 1914:.

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. John G. Callaarw ,m-L-U y.

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J.G.0ALLAN.

FLEXIBLE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED 001?. 21, 1905.

m mm. PatentedMar.31,1914.

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H John G. Callan, m/

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' J. G, OALLANE FLEXIBLE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED 001. 21, 1905. ggl g gg L iatented Mar. 31, 1914.

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Inventor, John @Cafiiam p I I:

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JOHN G. CALLAN, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRICCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FLEXIBLE COUPLING.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

To all whom it may con/rem lie it known that I. Joi-rn U- CALLAN, a

citizen of the United States; residing at Lynn. county of Essex, Stateof Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFlexible (.ouplings, of which, the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flexible shaft couplings and has for one ofits objects to provide a coupling of improved construction which willeffectually compensate for discrepancy in alincment of the shafts or fordeflection of one shaft from axial coincidence with the other, due toslightinac-' curacies in the hearings or in the shafts themselves, or inboth. and which will also permit of slight relative end-play between.the shafts, where such provision is desirable,

as in direct-connected electrical machines employing brushes, so as toprevent grooves from beingworn in the commutator or collector rings.

A further object is to provide a coupling which is especially designedfor use in con nection with high speed apparatus, such for instance asturbdgenerator sets, and is capable of. operating without lubrication.

In carrying out the invention I provide disks which are adaptedgto bekeyed to the adjacent ends of the driving and driven shafts and betweenthe disks are arranged the members which constitute the flexible portionof the coupling. This flexible portion comprises a member, which I shallterm a floating connector, and links that connect it to the disks. Theconnector is or may be star or cross-shaped, and one set of links isarranged to connect two diametrically opposite arms of the connector tothe driving disk of the coupling and the other set of links is arrangedto connect the other arms with the driven disk. More than four arms maybe employed if desired; in any case they are preferably displacedequidistant around the center. The links are attached to the disks bypivots which extend in an axial direction from adjacent surfaces'thereof in overlapping relation and project into the spaces between thearms of the connector so as to reduce the radial dimension of thecoupling and to obtain the best arrangement for the transmission ofpower from one member to another. The pivots between the links and armsof the connector and also those between the links and the disks'are soconstructed as to include a knife edge hearing so as to reducefrictional or bearing surfaces to a minimum, and hence obviate thenecessity of lubrication. This I consider an important feature of theinvention, as it renders the coupling applicable to high speed machinerywithout a more or less expensive arrangement for lubricating thehearingsurfaces of the parts. Witlrthe members thus arranged, power istransn'iitted from the driving disk through one set of links to theconnector and thence through the other set of links to the driven disk.The connector being supported merely by the links is free to assume anyposition in a plane transverse to its axis, in case of eccentricity ofthe shafts, and thus permit of disalinement without producing strains orcramping'in the shaft bearings, while at the same time performing itsintended function of transmitting power from the driving to thedrivenshaft.

in order to provide'for relative end-play or longitudinal. movement ofthe shafts and for angular disalinement or deviation from a co-axial andstraigl'it line relation of the shafts, I construct the floatingconnector, or' the links, or both, so as to be capable of moving orflexing in the g neral direction longitudinal of the shafts. Accordingto the preferred embodiment, the connector and links are each made of asuitable number of sheet metal plates or lamina: of the requiredresiliency. The plates of each member are suitably spaced apart so as topermit the plates of the links to intcrlap and loosely engage betweenthose of the connector at the points of pivotal connection and thusafford flexibility. In addition to this freedon'i of play l'ietween theplates or lamina, the plates themselves are capable of flexing in a moreor less axial direction.

For an understanding of the details of construction and of the featuresof novelty, reference is to be made to the following description, and tothe claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment 'of theinven tion. Figure l is a plan view of the coupling with portions of itsinclosing casing broken away; F a transverse section on line 2-2 of Fig.1 looking in the direction of the arrows; ,Fig. 3 is a longitudinal. section on line 3-3 of Fig. t looking in the i as are, respectively, a,plan and anedge view of one of the laminae of the floating connot-t r:Fig. 8 is a plan view of one of the lamina. of the links connecting thedriving disk of the coupling with the connector; ,l igs. 9 and are,respectively, a plan and ,an edge view of one of the laminae ol' thelinks connecting the driven disk with the.

connector; Fig. 11 is a section through one of the links showing aretaining means for the laminar and their spacers; Figs. 12 and- 13 aredetail views of the pivots ef'the coupli-ng showing the knife edgebearings, and

Figfll; is a view of the retaining ring for the pivots.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 represent respectively, a driving anda driven. shaft which are mounted in suitable bearings indicated at 3.Onthe shafts are arranged couplingdisks l and 5 which are securedthereto in any suitable manner as by keys 6. Extending around-the disksare cylindrical members 7 which project beyond the adjacent surfaces ofthe disks so as to overhang the members that constitute the flexibleportion of the coupling and form a housing or casing therefor. Thesecylindrical members? may be formed integral with the disks, or separatetherefrom and secured to them in any suitable manner. The flexibleportionof the couplingcomprises a floating connector 8 and links '9 and10 which connect it by means of pins or pivots 11 and 12 to the disks 4and 5, respectively. The connector is preferably cr0ss shaped and thelinks 9 and 10 are connected to the arms thereof by .pivots'13 and 14:,respectively, Figs. 4 and 5. The pivots 11 and 12 are mounted on theirrespective disks at a hundred and eighty degrees apart and the pivots ofone disk are displaced ninety degrees from those of the other disk, and.

overlap the same in a transverse plane. They projectfrom adjacent sidesof the. disks into the spaces between the arms of the connector and aredisposed in a circle .commonto the pivots 13 and 14 in the arms of theconnector, assuming the shafts to be concentric and the parts in normalposition. By this arrangement, the dimension 'of the coupling 1sreducedjto a mlnlmum duced in diameter and threaded so as to receivecrown nuts 16 which serve tohold the pivots in place. In order toprevent rotation of the pivots, keys 1?, Figs. 3- and 13, are employed.The disks are provided with openings 18 at points in linewith each ofthe pivots through which the latter may be inserted in place orwithdrawn when connecting or disconnecting the parts of the coupling. vY

The connector and the links are made up of a number ,of sheet metalplates or laminae. As shown in Figs. i: and 6, the plates 19. of theconnector are cross-shaped and stamped with holes in their arms forreceiving the pivots'13 and'14. Intermediate the plates are spacers 20(Figs. 3 and 5} which are somewhat greater in thickness than the plates,of the links so as .to permit free-play between the latter plates andthose of the connector on the pivots 13 and 1 1. The

extend. The plates and spacers are rigidly secured together by means ofrivets 21 arranged in any suitable manner. With this construction thebody portion of'the conneC- tor forms a .solid structure possessing thedesired rigidity, while thearms are rigid'in the plane of the lamina: orin the plane of rotation and still possess the required fiexi-.

bility to permit relative deflection between the shafts, or slightend-play.

Between the plates of thelinksat theends connected with the'pivots 11and 12 carried by the disks are loosely arranged spacers or washers 22(Figs. 3 and '11) which serve to maintain parallel relation between theplates. They are of such thickness as not to completely fill the.space'sbe-- tween. the plates ofthe links so'th'at the plates may alsohave-individual movement on the pivots. In order to maintain the washer22 in proper relation toth plates of thelinkswhen the pivots 11 and-12are removed from the disks in case of disassembling parts of thecoupling small tiei rods or retainers 23 are employed {Fig.ll)

which extend through registering openings I in the washers and platesand are turned over at the r ends or otherwise fastened.

'Th'ese retainers are long enough to, permit the necessary freedom ofmovement between the plates of the links.

In order to reduce friction between relatively movable parts and also toavoid the use of lubricant, the pivots between the connector and thelinks and between the; links and the disks are made in two parts with aare disposed at an angle of preferably more than ninety degrees. Theknife edge is also sector-shaped in section and has a radius equal tothat of the portion 24: so that the two will snugly fit the pivot holesin the connector and links. The angle of the knife edge surfaces issomewhat less than the angle between the radial walls ofthe seat so asto provide ample clearance to permit the-knife edge to move freely inthe latter.

In the cylindrical surface of each portion of the pivots (except theseat portions of the pivots 11 and 12), Figs. 5, 12 and 13, areprovided-longitudinalkeyways 26 which receive keys that secure the linksto the knifeedge portions and the ctmnector. to the seat portions. Thekeys are preferably lugs 27 formed integral with the plates orlaminee ofthe links and connector, (Figs. 6, 8 and 9). By this arrangement theknife-edge portions of the pivots form a rigid part of the links asregards movement in the plane transverse to the axes of the shafts. Alimited movement of the laminae of the links, however, is permittedaxially of the knife-edges to provide for endwise movement of theshafts. The bearing portions of the pivots 13 and 14; are also frigidlyconnected with the .connector, while the laminze thereof are movable inthe same sense mentioned in connection with the links. Thus the relativechanges in position of the disks, links and connectonfwhich attend rotation in case of eccentricity of the shafts, all take place aroundthe'kmfe-edges so that there is little or no friction between the partsof the coupling.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be observed that the knife-edge portion ofthe pivots bear a definite relation, to the seat portion. The seatportions 24 of the pivots 11. carried by the driving disk 4, or thoseshown at the top and bottom of the figure, transmit power through theknife-edge portions 25 to the links 9, which latter in turn act throughthe knife-edge portions of the pivots 13 to transmit power to theconnector through the seat portions of the same pivots. Power is nexttransmitted by the connector through the links 10 to the driven disk Theseat portions of the pivotslet of the links 10 act through theknife-edge portions to impart power to the links 10, which in. turn actthrough the knife-edge portions of .the-

p vots 12 to transmit power to the seat portions thereof and thence tothe driven disk. The force acting through the links 915 one ofcompression and that acting through the links 10 is one of tension.

The knife-edge ortions in their seats an the movement of the laminae onthe pivots is limited by rings '28 (Figs. 3, 11 and let) which aresecured on the ends of the seat portions'toform retainers. On the pivots11 and 12'arec0llars 29 (Fig. 3) arranged between the disks 4 25 areretainedand 5 and the outside laminae of the connector, which cooperatewith the rings 28 to limit the movement of the laminae on thepivotsincident to endwise movement of the shafts. The seat portions ofthe pivots 13 and 14 (Figs. 3 and 12) are each provided with a shoulder30 formed preferably by a split ring seated in an annular groove andwhich serves the same function as the collar Q9. The rin s 28 aresecured in place by rivetingthe ends of the seat portions. The ends arefirst reduced in diameter to form a shoulder 31, Figs. 12 and 13,against which the ring bears, and the end is slightly countersunk,leaving a flange 32. The ring is also slightly countersunk so that whenassembled on the reduced end, the flange can be riveted into thecountersunk portion of the ring to form a flush surface, as shown inFig. 3.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the principle of operation of my invention together with theapparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof;but

I I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is onlyillustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is,-

1. A coupling for shafts comprising a driving and a driven member, alaminated resilient floatinq' connector between the members which isflexible in a direction to permit of a limited endwise movementof theshafts, and flexible laminated links pivotally connecting the memberswith the connector, the laminae of the links and connector interlappingand extending transversely of the shafts.

2. A. coupling for shafts comprising a driving and a driven disk, atioating eoin nector between the disks which is formed of spaced laminaeprovided with flexible radial arms, spacing member's between thelaminae, and links pivotally connecting the outer ends of the arms withthe diskswhich extend into the spaces between said laminae.

3. A coupling for shafts comprising a pair of flanged members, aresilientlaminated floating connector between them, re-

too

' silient laminated links pivotally connecting meats, each linkcomprising a plurality of thin plates'extehding freely between saidbetween the disks and means for uniting the disks and spacers, aplurality of links for uniting the floating memoer and the elexments,each link comprising a plurality of thin plates extending freely betweensaid disks, spacers between the individual members of each link, andpivots'which unite the links with. the floating member and with saidelements. 1 v p 6. A coupling for shafts comprising two rotatingelements, a laminated cross-shaped member, and laminated links connectedwith I the elements and the member, the laminae of the links and themember inter-lapping and extending in a plane transverse to the axis ofrotation.

7. A cou ling for shafts comprising two rotating e ements, a floatingconnector formed of laminae with spaces between them, and laminatedlinks connected with the elements andthe connector whose laminae extendinto the spaces between the laminaa' of the connector.

8. A coupling for shafts comprising two rotating elements, pivots orpins extending from adjacent portions of the elements, a laminatedmember disposed between the elements and adjacent the inner sidesof thepivots, laminated links connecting the member with the pivots, andpivots between the links and the member,

9. A coupling for shafts comprising two rotating elements, a laminatedfloating connector, spacing'devices between the laminae of theconnector, laminated links connecting the connector to the elements, thelaminae of the links interlapping between the laminae of the connector,and pivots at the points of connection 0 and the connector, said pivotseach including a knife-edge bearing.

10. A coupling for shafts comprising a driving and a drivendisk, afloating connetor between the disks which is-formed of\spaced laminar,spacing devices between the laminae, pivot pins mounted in the disks andother pivot pins mounted in the connector, links connecting the pivotpins which extend into the spaces between said laminae, the connectionsbetween the links and the pins including knife-edge bearings.

11. A coupling comprising a driving and a driven disk, a laminatedfloating member the links with the elements located between the disks,laminated links whose ends extend between the laminae ofv pivotcomprisinga knife edge portion and a seat portion, key ways on saidportions, and keys formed integral with the laminae of said member, andlinksfor securing one of said parts to the knife edge and the other tothe seat portion of the pivot.

13. In a coupling of the character described, driving and drivenmembers, "a float:

ingflqmnector pivotally connected to said members" comprising starshaped laminae, and spacing members secured between adjacent laminae. vv

14. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of drivingand driven elements,'a member formed of laminae having radial arms whichare resilient in a direction along the axis of the coupling and rigid ina direction transverse thereto, means for spacing the laminae apart, andlaminated links pivotallyconnecting the member and said elements whoselamina extendinto the I spaces between the laminae of said member.

15. In a coupling of the character described, the combination 'of alaminated member, a pivot, spacers on'the pivot which are looselyarranged between the laminae of the member, and means for retaining thespacers. and laminae in operative relation when the pivot is removed.

16. A coupling for shafts comprising two rotating elements, a laminatedmember flexie bly connected between them, and laminated links connectingthe elements and the memher, the links and member lying in a commonplane and the plane of laminationfbev ing transverse to the axis ofrotation so as to permit of relatlveend movement of the shafts.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day ofOctober,

JOHN G. CALLAM- Witnesses Y J ornv A. MCMANUS, J 12, HENRY O.'WESTENDARE.

